Duchy of Massa and Carrara

The Duchy of Massa and Carrara was a duchy that existed in northern Italy from 1473 to 1829, consisting of the cities of Massa and Carrara in northern Tuscany. In 1554, Massa and Carrara submitted to the Holy Roman Empire, and it became a principality in 1568. In 1664, Massa became a duchy as Carrara became a principality, and the duchy came under the rule of the House of Este in 1738. From 1796 to 1806, Massa and Carrara was a part of France, but it was granted to the Principality of Lucca and Piombino in 1806 during the Napoleonic Wars. After the 1815 Congress of Vienna, Massa and Carrara was returned to the House of Austria-Este, and it was annexed to the Duchy of Modena and Reggio in 1829.